Abuja: The Human Rights Monitors, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), is calling for the United Nations' intervention in response to mass deportations of migrants by the United States. Mr. Armsfree Ajanaku, Convener of the coalition, made the appeal during a news conference, themed 'Violation of Immigrants' Rights and the Quest for Justice Through African Reparations,' on Thursday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Ajanaku said the coalition had monitored various human rights violations related to the arbitrary deportations of immigrants from the U.S. since January 20. Many of those affected, he noted, were Africans and people of African descent. Ajanaku expressed concern over actions that undermine rights, dignity, and civilised norms, describing scenes of migrant homes being raided, mass arrests, and families torn apart, with parents detained and children left traumatised.
He further alleged that the United States was denying refuge to those fleeing war zones and political persecution, violating multiple international human rights agreements. The coalition raised these issues at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Switzerland in April, citing breaches of international laws, such as Article 9 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 14 on the right to seek asylum, and Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Ajanaku highlighted violations of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families, and the 1951 Refugee Convention. He emphasized that refugees and immigrants seeking asylum are lawful under both U.S. and international law and should not be criminalised for entering without visas.
He urged the UN to take legal steps to address the plight of migrants facing forced and arbitrary deportation and to engage with affected persons through CSOs and refugee-focused agencies. Additionally, Ajanaku called on African leaders to strengthen institutions and infrastructure that could improve the welfare and safety of their citizens, both at home and abroad, suggesting that effective systems would encourage people to remain in their countries and benefit from good governance.